Benedict Murray-Bruce,
MON (born 18 February 1956) is a Nigerian
business magnate and
politician. He is the founder of
Silverbird Group.
[1] A member of the
People's Democratic Party, he was elected to the
Senate of Nigeria in March 2015, and currently represents the Bayelsa East constituency, in
Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Early life and education
Bruce was born in Lagos to
Ijaw parents Mullighan and Margaret Murray-Bruce who both hail from
Akassa,
Bayelsa State, Nigeria. He attended Our Lady of Apostles,
Yaba,
Lagos, where he completed his primary education and St Gregory College,
Obalende where he obtained the West African School Certificate before
he proceeded to the
University of South Carolina in the
United States, where he received a bachelor's degree in
Marketing in 1979.
[2]
Career
Early beginnings
Ben has served in various public positions. He served as Director General of
Nigerian Television Authority from 1999 to 2003. Prior to starting Silverbird Group, he promoted the
Miss Universe Nigeria Pageant in 1983, Miss Intercontinental Pageant, 1986-1994 and to date, he promotes the annual
Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Pageant
which he began in 1986. He is currently a Member of the Board of
National Arts Theatre, Nigerian Film Corporation, Federal Films Censors
Board, National Film Distribution Company and Nigerian Anti- Piracy
Action Committee.
[3]
Show business
In an interview with
Connect Nigeria, Ben said he got into show business "by accident".
[4] His passion for show business made him and his wife to establish the now defunct
Silverbird Magazine in 1980 with a loan from his father. Ben later went into promoting concerts.
[5]
Politics
In
2011, Ben ran for the governorship of Bayelsa State which was
unsuccessful after he was screened out of the gubernatorial race under
the umbrella of the
People's Democratic Party.
[6]
On 27 October 2014, Ben later declared his intention to represent
Bayelsa East Senatorial District at the National Assembly under the
umbrella of the People's Democratic Party which he went on to win.
[7][8]
Awards and recognition
- "Showbiz Icon of the Year Award" (2005)
- "“Top Ten” Significant Nigerian Businessmen Award" (2006)
- "Life Achiever Award" (2006)
- "Champion for Nation Building Award" (2007)
- "Excellent Personality Award" (2009)
- "Officer of the Order of the Niger" (2014)[9]
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